"Controlling moisture content, testing the soil, and using the right equipment are the keys to compacting fill properly"

Soil compaction is frequently overlooked
on residential building projects.
Yet much good effort and quality
workmanship on framing and finishing
a building can be offset when a slab or
foundation settles. The resulting cracks
and distortion may reflect serious
structural problems, or they may simply
be an eyesore and an inconvenience.
But one thing is certain: The unhappy
owner will be calling you to discuss
repairs and compensation.
You can avoid this outcome by
understanding a few basic principles
of soil behavior and by developing a
healthy respect for the consequences
of not getting it right. Poorly compacted
fill will compress and settle
over a period of time, often with disastrous
results. By contrast, properly
compacted soil should be worry-free.
In